Colds, or upper respiratory tract infections, are the most common cause of illness in children and adults. Most colds are caused by a virus - there are over 200 types of viruses that can cause the common cold (which is why it’s not possible to be immunised against a cold).
Colds are more common in the winter months. Cold weather by itself does not increase the chance of getting a cold, but people are in closer contact with each other because they stay indoors and are more likely to infect each other. The viruses which cause colds are spread by sneezing, coughing and hand contact.
The symptoms
The symptoms of a cold are various combinations of:
- A stuffy or runny nose
- Sneezing
- Sore or scratchy throat
- Cough
- Headache
- Red eyes
- Swelling of lymph glands
- Fever (occasionally).
Often there will be loss of appetite, and sometimes nausea and some vomiting.
The actual symptoms will vary from person to person, and from illness to illness. Usually the symptoms will last anywhere from a few days to a week or more, and the person recovers fully without any problems.
What is Croup?
Croup is a condition resulting from acute obstruction of the throat
and trachea. Croup can be caused by allergy or infection and mainly
occurs in infants and young children. It is often a complication
of the common cold. If you suspect your child has croup it is important
to see a doctor as the infection can spread rapidly into the passages
of the ears, causing a middle ear infection.
Immune System Support
While there are things you can do to help prevent colds (see
Preventing Colds & Flu), there is no cure. Antibiotics are
useless against the common cold – they treat bacterial infections,
not viral ones.
While getting adequate rest & fluids is the most important way to assist your body to heal, good nutrition can also help.
Balanced Diet
It is important to maintain a normal, healthy diet to provide the
nutrients your body needs to fight off a cold. While you should
not eat if not hungry, healthy light meals such as salads and soup
can help keep energy levels up.
Try to include plenty of Vitamin C-rich fruits and vegetables, such as citrus fruits, green leafy vegetables, tomatoes and capsicum. A supplement may help if the diet is inadequate. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant and helps support the immune system in the battle against colds and flu.
Garlic has anti-viral and mucous-reducing properties and can also help the body’s natural healing processes.
It’s important to keep fluid intake up, so drink plenty of water. And don’t forget those old folk remedies of a cup of hot lemon and honey tea or chicken soup are still remarkably effective!
Helpful Supplements
Zinc is a co-factor in many enzyme processes in
the human body, especially the immune system. When zinc is deficient,
immune cells show decreased function.1
With strong anti-viral properties, studies have shown zinc supplementation can help reduce the duration of the common cold.2
Herbs can also help build immunity and assist the body to recover faster. Echinacea is a widely known and popular herb which can help treat and reduce the symptoms of the common cold.
Another important cold-fighting herb is Astragalus. Considered by many to be even more potent than echinacea, this highly revered Chinese herb has been used for centuries for it’s immune-boosting properties and to treat upper respiratory tract infections.
Astragalus increases virus-fighting T-cells in the immune system, helping fight off the infection and shorten the duration of the cold.3
Gentle, Non-Invasive Treatments for Coughs & Colds
Anaesthetics, antiseptics, anti-inflammatories, antihistamines,
pseudoephdrine, antitussives, mucolytics… the world of pharmaceutical
cold and flu remedies is wide and confusing. While some drug-based
treatments are appropriate at times, they can also have side-effects.
In some cases, many are only suppressive and not a ‘cure’
for the cold.
Vapour Therapy
Remember sitting with your head under a towel over a bowl of steaming
water? This simple remedy is still one of the best ways to treat
congestion caused by the common cold. Our bodies are up to 60% water
and the respiratory system needs moisture to operate effectively
– if not, it cannot do its job of trapping cold and flu viruses
and keeping the airways clear.
Warm steam loosens phglem, helps clear congestion from the chest
and nasal passages and allows easier breathing.
Steam therapy can help both chesty coughs, dry coughs and nasal
congestion– by making it easier to expel mucous, reducing
irritation and moisturising the delicate mucous membranes of the
throat.4
Steam vaporisers are an easy and convenient way to reap the benefits of steam therapy - particularly during the night and in children’s bedrooms, allowing more restful sleep. Read more about Vapor Therapy here.
Eucalyptus Oil – Nature’s Cold & Flu
Fighter
Ahh… eucalyptus oil. Its clean, fresh familiar fragrance is
as revitalising as it is comforting. Bosisto’s
Eucalyptus Oil has been long renowned for its ability to help
provide soothing relief of cold and flu symptoms, with powerful
expectorant (mucous- loosening) properties which help clear chest
and nose congestion. It also has a natural disinfectant and antibacterial
action which can assist in fighting colds & flu. Over 150 years
old, this tried-and-true Aussie remedy is still a family favourite
today.
Here’s just a few ways to use Bosisto’s Eucalyptus Oil (and other eucalyptus-based products) for colds:
- Add Bosisto’s
Eucalyptus Inhalant to your steam vaporiser’s water
chamber. The soothing vapours provide all night relief for the
symptoms of colds and to ease nasal stuffiness
- You can also use Bosisto’s Eucalyptus Oil or Inhalant in a bowl of steaming water or a hand-held Vapour Inhaler if at work
- Sprinkle Bosisto’s Eucalyptus Oil on
the bottom of the shower – the hot water will evaporate
the oil providing a refreshing wake-up call and helps clear the
nasal passages in the morning
- A drop or two of Bosisto’s Eucalyptus Oil on a handkerchief carried around during the day helps provide
all-day natural sinus relief.
- Use Bosisto’s
Eucalyptus Spray around the house and bedrooms to disinfect
and kill germs, leaving a fresh bushland fragrance.
- Using a eucalyptus-based chest rub such as Euky
Bearub at night can help comfort, soothe and provide relief
from cold and flu symptoms.
- Ask your pharmacist about saline solutions to help clear stubborn nasal congestion – a natural alternative to steroid nasal sprays. Or try Nasex which contains natural eucalyptus essential oils, for effective temporary relief.
Supplementary Measures to Treat Colds
- Rest - especially if you have a chest cold. Gentle exercise
is fine if you have mild head-cold symptoms (runny nose, watery
eyes) but rest is most definitely needed if your symptoms are
below the neck (cough, general weakness and fatigue).
- Stop smoking, or avoid passive smoke – both impair lung
function and irritate the respiratory tract.
- Take paracetamol if you have a fever.
- Cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze or cough, and wash your hands to prevent passing the infection on to others.
References
Available on request.
This material is for information only and should not be used as medical diagnosis or treatment. Vitamins should not replace a balanced diet. If symptoms persist, see your doctor.
